SPONSORED ADVERTISING CONTENT
The Highest Quality Casein Powders of 2024
Winner - Nutricost Casein Protein
| | Winner - Nutricost Casein Protein | |
Casein is a protein found in dairy products like milk, yogurt, sour cream, and more.
As a protein, casein can help support post-workout muscle recovery and muscle growth when combined with proper exercise and diet and support hunger control.
Many turn to casein (especially at night) because it is considered a "time-released protein." This means casein digests in the body much slower, leading to prolonged absorption.
Due to our different lifestyles, food preferences, and diets, getting enough protein through our meals to help support our fitness goals can be a bit difficult.
That's where a well-formulated, high-quality, cost-effective protein powder can help fill in the gaps.
And with so many different casein protein powders available, I wanted to determine which was the best.
I'm talking about the best flavor, ingredients, protein-per-serving, cost, mixability, and more!
So that's exactly what I did. I ordered a bunch of different top-rated casein powders and compared them all. To see how I did my review process, click here.
☑️What I Love
- Delicious Flavor
- 24g Protein per Serving
- 71 Servings Per Tub
- Low in Sugar (1g)
- Cost Per Serving ($0.94)
- Mixed Well
- 3rd Part Tested (Major Plus)
- Made in GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility (Major Plus)
- Non-GMO, Gluten Free
- Several Flavor Options
What Could Be Better
- Scoop was bigger
- Potential to sell out
☑️ What I Love
If you're a fan of authentic vanilla flavor, you will love this. The taste was smooth, creamy, and delicious. The fact that it tasted this good with just water (and not almond milk, for example) is great.
It mixed as well as any other casein. Casein shakes tend to get a little thicker, so that wasn't any surprise to me. It just took a couple of seconds of shaking everything up in my shaker bottle, and there wasn't any settling at the bottom.
I love the formula. This is right up my alley at 24g of casein per serving and only 110 calories. A solid protein offering per scoop, minimal sugar (only 1g), and a hefty amount of protein are all I can ask for.
So the straightforward formula checked all the boxes for me.
And just as impressive was the price per serving of this tub. As I mentioned earlier, protein powder is supplemental.
I was looking for a casein powder that was extremely cost-effective, packed a punch as far as formula and taste go, but also was budget friendly.
This knocked "cost-effectiveness" out of the park. Only $0.94 per serving!
Lastly, Nutricost products are manufactured in a GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility.
The company goes the extra mile to ensure its high standard of product quality for consumers. As a result, I know I'm getting exactly what is listed on the label.
What Could Be Better
The scoop was a bit bigger than others I tried, but this is definitely not a deal breaker.
Also, because the tub was a bit bigger, it took me a bit to find the scooper as it was buried.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
☑️What I Love
- 25g Protein Per Serving
- Overall formula
- Mixed Well
- Banned Substance Tested
- Flavor was tasty
What Could Be Better
- Cost per serving
- Packing seemed a little lacking
- 2 scoops per serving
☑️ What I Love
Dymatize Elite Casein packed some of the most protein on this list at 25g per serving.
The number of calories and carbs per serving was also low, which is excellent for those wanting to focus on improving their protein intake.
The flavor was also delicious and refreshingly smooth, true to the "smooth vanilla"
name.
It was not too sweet, and the vanilla flavor really came through.
Also, I like that they mention their product is "Banned Substance Tested." I know I'm getting a safe, high-quality powder!
☑️What could be better
The cost per serving comes in at around $1.38. While this isn't the most expensive on the list, it isn't the most affordable. So that is something to consider.
This casein is interesting because it requires 2 scoops for a full serving. This isn't a deal breaker by any means, but it seems like quite a bit of powder for one serving.
That said, this protein is a good option for those where budget isn't as much of a sticking point.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
☑️ What I Love
- 24g Protein Per Serving
- Low Sugar (2g)
- Low Calories (110)
- 9 Other Flavor Options
What Could Be Better
- Mixability
- Flavor
- Cost Per Serving ($1.51)
☑️ What I Love
I grew up taking Optimum Nutrition products, so I am a big fan of the brand.
First, the casein protein amount at 24g per serving is excellent.
Not to mention that it is low in sugar and low calories are also nice touches.
Also, they provide several other flavor options, so if you want to mix things up, definitely check those out!
What could be better
The flavor tasted sweet but lacked the "cookies & cream" taste I expected. The flavor could have been better, but it also wasn't as refreshingly smooth as my top pick.
Additionally, while the casein powder mixed well, the little cookie bits in the powder all settled at the bottom.
Lastly, the price per serving, unfortunately, is less affordable than some other powders on the list.
That said, if you're looking for a casein powder where cost isn't much of an issue for you and flavor isn't a big deal breaker, this might not be a bad pick!
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
☑️What I Love
- 26g Protein Per Serving
- Mixed Well
- Grass-Fed micellar casein
- Packaging looks awesome
- Non-GMO
- Third-Party Tested
What Could Be Better
- Cost per serving ($1.99)
- Flavor
☑️ What I Love
At 26g of casein in each scoop, Legion Athletics Casein provides one of the high protein amounts per serving on this list. That's a plus.
It also mixed well. Despite it being a casein powder, I didn't notice any clumping or settling.
I love the fact that Legion's casein is Non-GMO and Third-Party Tested. These factors let me know they care about their product's quality.
Lastly, as a notable mention, their packaging was great.
☑️ What could be better
Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of the flavor. It was extremely subtle. It didn't taste disgusting, but I didn't get the tasty french vanilla flavor I had hoped for.
Also, this powder is one of the more expensive on the list regarding cost per serving.
At around $1.99 per serving, it was too expensive for my preferences.
That said, if cost isn't a big issue, you might still give this casein powder a shot.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
☑️What I Love
- Mixed well
- Grass-Fed
- Hormone Free
- Low Calories & Carbs
- 75 Servings Per Container
- Cost Per Serving ($1.12)
What Could Be Better
- Lower in Protein
- Flavor
☑️ What I Love
I really liked that this product mixed well (no clumping at the bottom) and provided 75 servings per container.
Based on how frequently I use protein powders, this would last me well over 2 months.
I also like the fact that they use grass-fed, hormone-free protein. This is a nod to me that they focus on providing high-quality protein powder.
The cost per serving is also affordable, in my opinion, especially when compared to others on this list.
What could be better
The two big sticking points for me, which may seem like a pattern on some of these other powders I reviewed, are the protein amount and the flavor.
Muscle Feast provides only 19g of protein per serving. I wish it were a little more, honestly!
Also, the flavor was just OK. I should note that it wasn't gross or unpleasant.
It just simply didn't taste amazing. I really want a protein flavor that I can enjoy sipping on consistently.
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
☑️What I Love
- 25g Protein Per Serving
- Mixed Well
- Other flavor options as well
- Sweetened with Stevia
What Could Be Better
- Flavor
- Hard to close the bage
- Cost per serving
☑️ What I Love
First, this protein powder checked that box at 25g of casein per scoop.
Secondly, it mixed well, which was nice! I didn't notice any crazy clumping or settling.
Another nice factor is this protein comes in several other flavor options, so you can mix things up if you'd like and try out more.
Also, the use of stevia is a pretty nice touch for those looking for a plant-based sweetener.
What could be better
Unfortunately, the flavor was pretty lacking, in my opinion.
While it certainly wasn't a gross flavor by any stretch of the imagination, the vanilla bean flavor was just too subtle for me. I wish it had a more pronounced vanilla taste.
This protein comes in a bag, and it was hard closing the bag every time I used it. That could have just been me, however!
Lastly, the price per serving wasn't as competitive as my top pick.
All in all, not a bad protein powder considering the protein amount, formula, and mixability. Just not my favorite!
*Individual Results May Vary - Ratings are based on Society Health Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. We encourage consumers to research by visiting each product's website for more information.
Why I Chose Nutricost Casein Protein
There's no doubt about it, scan that list above one more time, and you'll see it's packed with top contenders in the casein protein powder niche.
That said, Nutricost Casein Protein easily stood out on the list.
Its flavor was deliciously smooth. Nothing too strong, but just refreshingly tasty. It really did taste like a true, authentic vanilla flavor.
It mixed well, and its straightforward formula of 24g of protein was great. And the price per serving was just icing on that (vanilla) cake.
This really is a budget-friendly powder that gives the most bang for your buck.
If you want to supplement with a casein powder to help fuel your daily protein intake and support your gym goals, seriously look no further.
My Review Process
Out of all the Casein Protein products available, I wanted to find out which one gave me the most "bang for my buck,” so to speak. I’ll explain more below!
Let's dive into my review process so I can show you how I picked the products, how I was going to review them, and then I'll reveal my top pick.
To do a proper review, I needed to make sure I was looking at the top Casein Protein products available.
I researched a bunch of different Casein powders, and these were some of the things I looked for when selecting the top Casein Powders to test:
- It needed to be in powder form
- The product needed to come from a reputable, well-established brand
How I Tested Them
Each day I supplemented with a different casein powder.
I mixed them according to the directions on their label in my shaker bottle. I used water as my liquid on all of them to keep the same base liquid to compare flavors, mixability, and my overall experience.
As I tried each casein powder, I made sure to jot down my observations and detail my experience with each.
The Four Ranking Factors
Here are the factors I took into account when ranking each casein powder:
1. Taste
2. Formula
3. Mixability
4. Price per serving
In addition to the above factors, I also considered my overall experience with the product and brand.
Here's why those 4 ranking factors were so important to me when considering which casein protein powder was best:
#1. Taste
I've had my fair share of supplements over the years. If something doesn't taste good to me, or is hard for me to consume, I won't stick with it.
That's why the product's flavor and the taste experience were such a deal breaker for me. Life's too short to choke down gross powders. The top-ranking casein powder definitely needed to "wow" me with flavor.
#2. Formula
Equally as important as taste is the formula.
My personal goals are to support my muscle recovery and growth as I lift weights 4-5 times a week.
That said, I wanted a casein powder that provided a nice amount of protein per serving but wasn't too crazy on the calories and carbs side.
#3. Mixability
Unlike whey protein isolate, which mixes and dissolves pretty well in liquid, casein is a bit different.
Due to their structure, casein protein powders mix into a thicker type of shake.
That said, I was looking for a casein powder that was easy to mix and didn't end up clumping up and settling at the bottom.
#4. Price Per Serving
Lastly, but just as significant, is the cost of the powder.
I wanted to find the most cost-effective powder. One that didn't just taste good and provided a high-quality formula and mixed well. I wanted to find one that was the most wallet-friendly, too.
Because supplements aren't "essential," they certainly can be an extra monthly expense depending on how frequently you purchase and use them.
The top-ranked casein powder definitely needs to be reasonably priced for me to recommend it.
What's the Deal with Casein Protein Anyways?
When you work out in the gym, you tear your muscle fibers, and your muscle rebuilds.
Protein is the building block of muscle and helps support recovery, so you can build a stronger, leaner physique over time as you pair a proper diet with exercise.
In a nutshell, if you want your muscles to grow and recover well after exercise, you need to support them by getting enough protein in your diet.
Casein is a popular protein powder within the gym community because it helps support muscle growth and strength and even helps with hunger cravings.
Casein is unique compared to other protein forms. While proteins like whey dissolve fast, casein dissolves more slowly.
As a result, many gym-goers like taking casein to help support hunger control while ensuring they are helping feed their muscles.